>Today I was out paddling my Mariner Express on Puget sound. The wind >was a steady 21 knots, gusting to 23, according to the recording >anemometer at West point. The wind was SSE, so the fetch at Shilshole >was a bit less than usual in a southerly, which made for short steep >waves moving at a good clip (with the tide). I spent some time >practicing quick turns up into the wind and, following Matt's advice, I >tried edging the boat an extra few degrees as I leaned on the sweep >stroke. The boat came up into the wind MUCH more quickly with just a >little more edging. The effect was startling. I have had an Express with sliding seat for several years and have been considering a II as well for at least a year. Have you ever paddled the II in similar windy conditions, unloaded? I wonder if it would be as easy to manage as the Express is. I once took a lesson in Deception Pass with Gronseth's school in a rented II with fixed seat and found it very easy to manage in the tidal races. But there was no wind. Jerry *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Have you ever paddled the II in similar windy conditions, unloaded? I wonder if it would be as easy to manage as the Express is." Jerry, I paddled somebody elses sliding seat Mariner II fairly often over a period of several years before I got my own boat. I had a hard time choosing between the II and the Express. The Express is easier to maneuver in wind simply because it is shorter. The II does well though, and it is faster. I can't tell you which one to get. I am more comfortable in the Express in wind than I used to be in the II, but I have put in many many more miles in the Express now, so that may be why. I want the II, the Express, and the Coaster, but I could only afford one, so I picked the one in the middle. I was also influenced by an experienced paddler who had both a II and an Express; he used the II for recreational class racing, but when he paddled with others, or when he took long trips, paddling in surf zones and so forth, he would take the Express because it handled better in waves. My opinion is that neither boat will hold you back, you just have to pick between emphasizing speed or emphasizing maneuvering. When I go paddling with my freind who paddles a II, I have to work to keep up. Now I have a question for you. Do you find that sliding the seat all the way back gives noticeably better downwind handling in the Express? My seat is fixed but I can't help wondering. . . Do you move the seat around much? Or do you usually leave the seat in one spot (and if so, which spot?). Nick Lyle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> >I paddled somebody elses sliding seat Mariner II fairly often over a >period of several years before I got my own boat. I had a hard time >choosing between the II and the Express. The Express is easier to >maneuver in wind simply because it is shorter. The II does well though, >and it is faster. I can't tell you which one to get. Nick, I am not deciding between the Express and II. Already have the Express. I want the II as well. The II is one of the few narrow boats in which I feel completely comfortable in rough water. For travelling I prefer boats that are less playful and don't require many corrective strokes even in wind. I believe that the II will be better in this regard than the Express. But I am a big fan of all Mariners. >When I go paddling with >my freind who paddles a II, I have to work to keep up. This is another reason I want the II. It may not have the top speed of racing boats but it seems very efficient to me in the 4 to 5 knot range. >Now I have a question for you. Do you find that sliding the seat all >the way back gives noticeably better downwind handling in the Express? >My seat is fixed but I can't help wondering. . . Do you move the seat >around much? Or do you usually leave the seat in one spot (and if so, >which spot?). Yes, moving the seat helps greatly in following seas or surf. But it also greatly helps in side wind and beam seas. I can tune it such that almost no corrective strokes are required to travel in a straight line. Most of the time I don't move it at all. But when conditions warrant it is a great energy saver. If it were more comfortable I would have already bought a II. Many II and Express users have fixed seats (which are lighter and more comfortable) and have no trouble. But I don't think trouble is the issue. It is much more pleasant not to bother with corrective strokes at all. I use both non-ruddered and ruddered boats. But I don't enjoy non ruddered boats that require extra work in wind. The sliding seat makes everything that much better in this respect. Jerry Jerry Jerry *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"Any comments on how these boats behave in heavy surf?" I have yet to paddle any kayak in what I would call heavy surf. I am waiting for the chance to do so with more experienced paddlers for company. It is a long drive from Seattle to real surf (except in a big storm). I have paddled both the Express (which I own) and the Mariner II in what I would call mild surf. I have paddled, and surfed them, in three to four foot wind waves (accompanied by strong winds). Both boats behave well when surfing. They respond well to leaned turns and they are not prone to broaching. I find the Express to be more maneuverable and more suited to surfing, but the Mariner II does very well. Neither one will surf like a dedicated surf boat. Try the Mariner Coaster if surfing is your primary goal. Nick Lyle *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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